Bolton 102- 0 Tyldesley

...your team has strengths and weaknesses, a certain style of play and individuals you rely on. If the opposition can counter your strengths and exploit your weaknesses, if their patterns of play negate yours and if your key personnel can’t be as effective as they normally are because the opposition’s key personnel are thwarting all their best efforts then you know you have a game on your hands. Bogey teams aren’t the best teams in the league because nobody expects to beat them all the time; they are the teams you know you should beat or at least compete closely against, but for some reason you’re left scratching your head wondering why you haven’t done better against them. Tyldesley must feel this way about Bolton: although they have gone into both games against their local rivals understrength, they have had an otherwise competitive season and sit comfortably mid table. They have only really come undone against the men from the Theatre of Trees and are probably glad not to have to play them again this season.

Conditions were far from ideal as Bolton kicked off into a stiff breeze with rain falling, but right from the off as Louis Townsend recovered the kick and set them onto the attack it was clear that the home team meant business. Bolton actually played some of the best rugby of the match in the first five minutes as a succession of attacks fell down on the Tyldesley line through a couple of poor decisions and last ditch defending, but a couple of penalties gave the visitors chance to clear their lines and have a bit of the ball themselves. It was here that Bolton’s bogey nature showed itself: Tyldesley’s plan of attacking close to the ruck through their bigger runners was met with Bolton’s wall-like defence in that area. When it was obvious that they could make no ground that way their only other option was to kick to Bolton’s makeshift back three who made a good fist of returning the ball with interest. This meant that Bolton were on the front foot with or without the ball, and although it took 15 minutes for the home team to open the scoring they always looked likely to break free. After a couple of scoring passes were dropped and another adjudged forward Bolton finally broke the deadlock when Manny Tailor, showing an admirable turn of pace for a prop, popped up in support when a Ryan McClusky break was halted just short of the line. Will Bate was the next name on the score board after a break from centre partner Matt Boyers, who was catching the eye on his return. From the restart the Bolton front five took matters into their own hand when brilliant handling from Chris Mee, Tailor again and Louis Critchlow saw the latter trundle*/rumble*/accelerate* (*delete as see fit) over from fully 40 metres for the crowd’s favourite try of the afternoon. The forwards continued their strong work and from the kick off created an almost mirror image try, this time, Louis Towsend the beneficiary. Jack Robinson was next on the scoresheet after some hotstepping down the right wing, before Bate rounded off the half with his second.

So 42-0 to Bolton at half time as all the tries were converted by Mike Mills. The only downside of the first half was to loss of Matt Parrish to a broken toe, but this enabled Rick Newman to have a rare outing and it was his strong running that enabled the home team to stay on the front foot in the second half when they have so often taken their foot off the gas in similar situations. Tries followed for Alex Waddicar, James Singleton (2), a further three for Bate to take his tally to 5, 2 for Robinson for his hat trick, Ryan McClusky and Mike Mills, who also slotted another 5 conversions. Tyldesley, depleted by injury as they were, never gave up, but Bolton played some good rugby in the conditions and the final score says much about their fitness and hunger.

The win takes Bolton to second in the league and has improved their points difference no end. Stiffer challenges lie ahead, but they go into the Christmas break in a good frame of mind and confident that their game with or without the ball is in good shape.

MoM: Will Bate